Galantamine 

Overview

A cognitive-enhancing drug called galantamine is used to treat mild-to-moderate dementia of Alzheimer’s condition. Cognitive and memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of degeneration of cholinergic neurons may be linked to dementia. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is broken down by the cholinesterase enzyme, which is inhibited by Galantamine. This elevates acetylcholine in the brain levels, maximizing the activity of healthy cholinergic neurons, and enhancing memory and cognitive performance in general operating.

Information about Dosing

Galantamine is prescribed at a beginning dose of 4 mg twice a day (8 mg/day). This dose needs to be given to the patient for four weeks at the very least before changing the dose. The dose may be raised to 8 mg twice per day (16 mg) if it is tolerated.
After four weeks, the dose may be raised to 12 mg twice a day (24 mg/day) if necessary.
Over 24 mg per day is not advised in terms of dosage. If treatment is halted and Galantamine is discontinued, the patient should resume medication at the lowest dose after a few days or longer, and the dosage should be gradually raised to the starting dose.

Galantamine ER should be started at a dose of 8 mg once a day. To provide time for reaction evaluation regarding tolerability, the doctor shouldn’t raise the medication to 16 mg per day, the next higher dose, without a 4-week trial period at least. Overdosing over a daily limit of 24 mg is not advised. It is recommended to take Galantamine ER in the morning, ideally with meals.

Typical Side Effects

The most typical adverse effects of Galantamine are tiredness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and appetite loss combined with weight reduction. Although these effects are more common at greater doses, most of the time with ongoing medication, side effects are usually modest and temporary, disappearing within one to three weeks. Galantamine may make you feel sleepy and dizzy, particularly when you first start treatment.

Adverse Events and Safety Measures

Patients should disclose to their surgeon that they are taking Galantamine before surgery because it may interfere with any anesthetic that relaxes the muscles that they may be given. The heart rate may slow down when using Galantamine. Individuals who are taking medicine for cardiac conduction issues, have a history of dizziness, or have a history of bradycardia (slow heart rate). Galantamine users who have cardiac issues need to be properly watched.

Seizures may occur in those who are sensitive to Galantamine, while this side effect is quite uncommon. Seizures, however, might potentially be an indication of Alzheimer’s.

Individuals who have had asthma attacks or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be constantly watched during the use of Galantamine. Galantamine could make some lung conditions worse.

Gastric acid discharges may rise when using Galantamine. Individuals with a history of ulcers or those on medication such as ibuprofen and naproxen are examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) that need to be constantly watched for indications of internal hemorrhage.

Potential Interactions with Drugs

There aren’t many noteworthy medication interactions linked to Galantamine. The medication interactions that are clinically significant are compiled in the following below and associated with Galantamine. 

• Agents that are anticholinergic (e.g., Cogentin) When combined, anticholinergic medications and Galantamine together, may be in opposition to one another’s actions,
  diminishing their potency. 
• NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, (For example, naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin) Given that NSAIDs are linked to an increased the possibility of stomach ulcers and Galantamine may raise the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding by increasing the release of stomach acid. 
• Diflucan (fluconazole) with Nizoral (ketoconazole) These antifungal substances might prevent Galantamine from metabolism, raise its levels in the blood, and pharmacological effects that might result in negative consequences. 
• Cimetidine, or Tagamet, Tagamet could prevent Galantamine from being metabolized and raise its pharmacological and blood levels activities that might have a negative impact.
• Alcohol consumption should be avoided by patients on Galantamine since it may worsen sedation and fatigue. Additionally, alcohol’s sedative properties may have a depressive impact, masking its therapeutic benefits of Galantamine and making therapy more difficult. 
• Erythromycin could prevent some raise the blood levels of Galantamine and pharmacological effects that might result in negative consequences. 
• Paroxetine, or Paxil may prevent Galantamine from being metabolized and raise its pharmacological and blood levels activities that might have a negative impact.

overindulgence

Due to elevated acetylcholine levels, a cholinergic crisis may occur from a Galantamine overdose as Severe nausea, vomiting, salivation, a slowed heartbeat, perspiration, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure, seizures, respiratory depression, and weakening of the muscles. Overdosing on Galantamine may be potentially fatal.

Treating any suspected overdose as an emergency is imperative. The individual has to be brought to the emergency space for care and observation. It is advisable to bring the prescription bottle of medicine (as well as any additional medication that may have been taken in excess) since the information on the label may be useful in helping the treating physician figure out how many tablets the patient has taken.

Particular Points to Remember

• Take the missed dosage as soon as you remember. Ignore the missed dosage if the next scheduled dose is approaching and go on with your usual dosage regimen. Avoid taking two doses at once.
• You may take Galantamine with or without meals. It is best to take Galantamine ER with meals.
• It is recommended to take Galantamine in the morning and just before bed, preferably before going to bed. Using Galantamine ER ought to be taken early in the day, ideally with meals.
• Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting may cause electrolyte loss and dehydration, which can be dangerous, particularly to the elderly. Notify your doctor if you have chronic diarrhea or vomiting for longer than a day.
• Galantamine may make you feel lightheaded and sleepy, particularly when you first start treatment, and it may also affect your attentiveness. When driving or doing other duties that call for attentiveness, proceed with care.
• Keep the medicine out of direct sunlight and dampness, in the light-resistant container that came with it. Warmth and moisture may hasten the disintegration of your drug, causing it to lose its medicinal consequences.
• Make sure kids can’t get to your medicine.